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Plastic Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Plastics Engineer

Minneapolis, MN ยท On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Must have at least 8 plus years of experience in medical plastics extrusion. BS Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience. Experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, IQ/OQ/PQ and process ...

Masters in Plastics Engineering a plus โ€ข 5+ years of experience in an extrusion manufacturing environment, preferably in a medical device setting โ€ข Experience with complex multi-lumen extrusion ...

Project Engineer

New Brighton, MN ยท On-site

$76K - $118K/yr

Experience with plastic tooling/processing, machining, secondary processes and assembly methods ... S.) in Engineering with 2+ years injection molding experience, preferably in contract manufacturing.

Product Design Engineer

Clearwater, MN ยท On-site

$128K - $154K/yr

O. Plastics has manufactured quality custom thermoformed parts and packaging and provided ... Provide engineering support to other departments as required (i.e. Marketing, QA/QC, Regulatory ...

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Product Design Engineer

Clearwater, MN ยท On-site

$128K - $154K/yr

O. Plastics has manufactured quality custom thermoformed parts and packaging and provided ... Provide engineering support to other departments as required (i.e. Marketing, QA/QC, Regulatory ...

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Showing results 1-20

Plastic Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$35.7K

$63.9K

$106.3K

How much do plastic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic engineer in Minnesota is $63,922.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,500.00 and $77,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a plastic engineer do?

A Plastic Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing products made from plastic materials. They work with various types of plastics to create items ranging from packaging and consumer goods to automotive parts and medical devices. Their responsibilities may include selecting the appropriate plastic material, optimizing manufacturing processes, ensuring product quality, and considering environmental impacts such as recyclability. Plastic Engineers often collaborate with other engineers and designers to innovate and improve plastic products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plastic engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plastic Engineer, you need a solid background in polymer science, material properties, and design engineering, typically supported by a degree in chemical, materials, or plastic engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, injection molding machinery, and relevant industry certifications like Six Sigma or PMP is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help distinguish top professionals in this field. These competencies ensure the development of high-quality, cost-effective plastic products and successful collaboration with manufacturing and design teams.

What are the typical challenges a plastic engineer faces when scaling up from prototype to mass production?

Plastic Engineers often encounter challenges when transitioning a design from prototype to large-scale manufacturing, such as material selection discrepancies, maintaining consistent quality, and optimizing mold design for efficiency. Balancing cost-effectiveness with durability and performance is crucial, as even minor design changes can have significant impacts on production time and expenses. Collaborating closely with design, production, and quality assurance teams helps address these challenges and ensures a smooth scale-up process.

What is the difference between Plastic Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPlastic EngineerMaterials Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Plastic Engineering, Polymer Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, product design facilitiesResearch labs, academia, industrial R&D
Industry UsagePlastic product development, injection molding, extrusionMaterial development, testing, and analysis across various materials

Plastic Engineers focus on designing, developing, and testing plastic products and processes, often working directly in manufacturing settings. Materials Scientists study the properties and behaviors of various materials, including plastics, to innovate and improve materials across industries. While both roles require knowledge of polymers, Plastic Engineers are more application-oriented, whereas Materials Scientists are research-focused.

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Plastic Engineer jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Plastic Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Plastic Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,922 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Plastics Engineer

Minneapolis, MN โ€ข On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Large company in the medical industry with multiple manufacturing locations and sales over $400 million dollars has an outstanding opportunity available in the Minneapolis, MN area for a Senior Plastics Engineer. Requirements: Must have at least 8 plus years of experience in medical plastics extrusion. BS Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience. Experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, IQ/OQ/PQ and process validation. Experience in thermoplastics, polyolefins, polymers, HDPE, llDPE, LDPE, polyethylene, or polypropylene would be a plus. This position offers a very competitive base salary, bonus potential, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for growth.